MK 14

The Science of Cambridge MK14 (Microcomputer Kit 14) was a low-cost microcomputer kit launched in 1977 by Science of Cambridge Ltd., the company founded by Sir Clive Sinclair. Priced at just £39.95, the MK14 was based on the National Semiconductor SC/MP (INS8060) CPU and featured just 256 bytes of RAM, expandable to 640 bytes. It used a 7-segment LED display and hexadecimal keypad for input/output. Though primitive, the MK14 introduced many to microcomputing and set the stage for Sinclair’s later successes with the ZX80, ZX81, and ZX Spectrum. It remains a landmark in UK computing history.

Notably, Science of Cambridge was a company set up by Clive Sinclair when he was losing control of his previous company, Sinclair Radionics.  He placed Chris Curry in charge of the company until he could move from Sinlair Radionics himself. The MK 14 project was overseen by Chris Curry, who went on to leave Sinclair and form Acorn Computers with Herman Hauser.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	MK 14
Manufacturer	Sinclair Research Ltd
Launched	Wednesday, February 1, 1978
Discontinued	12/12/1979
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	National Semiconductor SC/MP (INS8060)
CPU Speed	4 MHz (approx., depending on implementation)
Storage	Optional cassette interface
Sound	None
Input	20-key hexadecimal keypad
Display	8-digit 7-segment LED display
ROM	512 bytes (monitor program)
RAM	256 bytes (expandable to 640 bytes)